mulitple questions - Magical Express/What to do first day

[xcell]

So we are 16 days away from our first ever Disney Experience...and I was hoping someone could help me with a few questions.

1. Magical Express - we got the tickets and bag tags but do I have to use the bag tags? or can i just take my bags to the bus and ask them to store them underneath?

2. IS the magical Express on a timed schedule. We arrive in Orlando around 1pm and wouldnt mind grabbing a bite to eat at the airport before we go to disney, but is there time? or do we have to go striaght to the bus?

3. What would you do on your first day? I assume we would arrive at WD around 3pm and maybe we could check in, maybe not...what would be a nice 1/2 day attaction for my dd2 and dd5 to experience but not overwhelming (not to mention a nice CS dinner meal)?

Thanks!

 

[summermac]

Ooh good questions and ones I have myself now that I think about it.

 

[summermac]

Oh for #3, I think we are going to go to MK our first day - a Saturday. Might do Crystal Palace for dinner. My son loves Tigger.

 

[xcell]

glad im not the only one...now to wait for the response...

another question..

Is there internet at POP CENT? I think I read you have to pay...if so, is there anywhere that Wifi is free?

 

[summerrluvv]

There is no set time, you can just get in line for the bus whenever you want.

You don't have to tag your bags, you can retrieve them yourself from baggage claim and then put them under the bus. I actually recommend this since it took 3 hours to get our luggage.

We had planned on doing a park upon arrival, but between sitting on the bus for 30 minutes waiting for other people to board, traveling to the resort, and the whole check in process, etc. we didn't have time for a park. We spent a little time in the arcade and that made DS happy.

 

[skuttle]

You can get your own bags, you don't have to use the tags.

You can certainly grab a bite to eat before you go down to Magical Express. There's no certain time you have to get on the bus. The only problem with that is that your bags will just be waiting down in baggage claim for you.

Is there a reason you don't want magical express to just take your bags for you? We LOVED that part of it. We checked in late (midnight) and had them hold our bags until the morning. When we woke up. we called for our bags and they were brought right away. We stayed at AKL, not sure if that makes a difference. We did back a carryon that had everything we would need just in case our bags were late. I think they say the average time to get your bags is about 3 hours.

Usually on our first day, we just explore the resort and go to bed early. You could also go to Downtown Disney.

xcell: I don't think there's free internet anywhere except maybe DVC.

 

[xcell]

another question...i get off the plane and go directly to the bus? or do I still claim my bags and put them somewhere?

my wife wants to leave the bags, dragging two kids, two strollers, two bags and carry-ons - I dont think I have enough arms. the Magical Express would be easier.

getting excited but nervous as well

 

[summerrluvv]

another question...i get off the plane and go directly to the bus? or do I still claim my bags and put them somewhere?

my wife wants to leave the bags, dragging two kids, two strollers, two bags and carry-ons - I dont think I have enough arms. the Magical Express would be easier.

getting excited but nervous as well

Yes, you go directly to the bus. ME will retrieve your bags and send them to the resort.

 

[Totally Tink]

Here's what we usually do:

Put a change of clothes (swimwear stuff if you're planning on swimming) in your carry-on bag. Go from the plane to the ME counter - check in and head to your resort. We always have ME deliver our luggage. Have them store your carry-on stuff if your room isn't ready. Swim, check out the resort, get a bite to eat, etc. We went to the Hoop Dee Do Revue last year. It was a GREAT way to start the trip! In the past, we've toured the resort and gone to DTD for the evening.

Our 5 year old BEGGED us to go into the MK to ride Pirates after the Hoop last year! We just take it easy and go with the flow. Another fun thing to get you in the Disney mood (if you don't want to hit a park) is a meal at a resort. Chef Mickey's WCC, 'Ohana, etc.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Elmo888]

So we are 16 days away from our first ever Disney Experience...and I was hoping someone could help me with a few questions.

1. Magical Express - we got the tickets and bag tags but do I have to use the bag tags? or can i just take my bags to the bus and ask them to store them underneath?

2. IS the magical Express on a timed schedule. We arrive in Orlando around 1pm and wouldnt mind grabbing a bite to eat at the airport before we go to disney, but is there time? or do we have to go striaght to the bus?

3. What would you do on your first day? I assume we would arrive at WD around 3pm and maybe we could check in, maybe not...what would be a nice 1/2 day attaction for my dd2 and dd5 to experience but not overwhelming (not to mention a nice CS dinner meal)?

Thanks!

1. You don't have to use the tags - you can just get your bags and take them to the bus.

2. Good question. They like to know that you are coming, but they don't seem to be waiting for you (they seem to be waiting for a full bus, but who knows).

3. Swim. Or DTD. We have done both. DD7 didn't trust me about DTD, but she loved it. There is a lot to see and do. We had a great time, and there are plenty of CS places, like Wolfgang Puck Express or The Earl of Sandwich. And stop by Goofy's Candy Shop for a build your own treat! And kids love the Lego statues.

For your first day, unless you plan to go to a park, I wouldn't go anywhere near a park. For example, I wouldn't take the kids to CR - they can see MK from there! Depending on where you are staying, you could "resort hop" to check out another resort and have a bite to eat.

Have a great trip!

 

[seashoreCM]

"The reason why we eat lunch now is because it is lunch time." *

No problem grabbing a bite to eat or even sitting down for lunch in the gate area hub or the main terminal food court before going down to the DME welcoming area. They don't mind if you are several hours early or late that day. Except after 10 PM when someone should report to the welcoming area quickly after arrival as DME winds down after the last flight known to have DME guests has arrived.

About not using the yellow tags and fetching your baggage yourself, for some airlines, going to the carousel is a substantial extra walking distance. It's like (oversimplified and vague) "getting off the airport tram and head over to the left to go directly to the DME area." But to fetch baggage you get off the airport tram, head over to the right, then backtrack and schlep everything to where you started and then head over to the left.

Didn't get yellow tags in time for your trip? You don't have to go to the carousel; arrangements are made at the welcoming area for the usual automagical delivery to your room.

Assuming you are going to use up the tickets (and not buy non-expiration) going to the parks this first afternoon may well cost you just three dollars more per person. (For adding the fifth through tenth day to a ticket otherwise not having enough for your first afternoon. Do the upgrade if needed near the end of the vacation, not first thing.)

You can check in and get tickets and (if applicable) Disney dining credits, and start using the pool, as soon as you get to the resort, even if the room is not ready yet.

You do not wait in your room for the baggage. If the bellhop delivers it when you're not there, "Disney quietly takes money from the till to tip him".

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

* Highly OT: Meanwhile, paraphrased from Susan Fremon(sic?)'s book, "Why Trade It In", There are plenty of good reasons for trading in a car, for example you need a bigger car. Yet some people give as a reason, "it's time to trade it in". There is no such time.

 

[kacaju]

not sure why you wouldn't want ME to take your bags... It is super easy and they magically appear in yuor room. As someone else mentioned, bring swimsuits on your carry, swim, go to DTD for Dinner. Hoop Dee Doo is great too, but.... unless you can try to get in the day you arrive I would worry about that one. They ask you for your cc when you make the ressie and then if you don't show they will still charge you. Since there are set dinner show times, if you ran late and couldn't get there in time you are out the money.

 

[sau418]

With two young kids who will want to run after being cooped up for awhile with travel, we plan to swim for a little bit and then maybe hit DTD in the evening. I am packing a swim bag as a carry on so we can check in change and head to the water.

 

[momtomatthew]

Oh for #3, I think we are going to go to MK our first day - a Saturday. Might do Crystal Palace for dinner. My son loves Tigger.

Just make sure you get an ADR- not sure you would be able to walk into Crystal Palace for dinner.

 

[madamimadam]

We actually get totally excited to use the yellow tags. Its like the first official DISNEY vacation thing we do. We always pack and load the suitcase but we only tag it when we are going to Disney World. Like everyone else we pack spare clothes (swim gear and comfy shorts in our carry on luggage) and don't sweat about when the rest gets there.

I may only speak for myself but I sweat details all year long, that's what I love so much about Disney. You focus on maximizing your fun and relaxation and they take care of the details.

Adam

 

[blessedby3]

We are letting ME get our luggage for sure. We will already be having to keep up with 4 kids, a carryon, a stroller and the kids carryons with their "stuff". DH doesnt want to have to get the luggage! We will be taking anything we may need in our carryon so we will be good to go. We dont arrive until 5:30 so we are hoping to get to the resort, get a CS quick meal and head to Epcot for Illuminations. We'll see what we actually get accomplished. We may not want to leave the Poly once we get there